For a holiday straight out of Pinterest

A 21st-century castle at Aurika, Udaipur

The city of lakes is generous with its vistas. But at Aurika, Udaipur by Lemon Tree Hotels, each jharokha opens up to an expansive, 360-degree view of the Aravallis spread generously across its terraced landscape. Enter through long, winding pathways dripping with lush greens and sprigs of Bougainvillaeas connecting the property’s multiple sand-hued castles — and you’ll be tempted to stop at every turn to take in the beauty surrounding you!

From private plunge pools overlooking Udaipur’s iconic cityscape, to terraces straight out of a moonlit Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, the getaway, designed by Bobby Mukherji & Associates (BM&A), contemporarises the region’s iconic heritage structures to make them fit for modern-day royalty. No palaquins needed — a golf cart will suffice!

Stellar wine and views divine at Beyond by Sula, Nashik

Petrichor. Nashik’s chartreuse rolling hills. And a sweeping view of the water, circling the Gangapur Dam. With four villas named after the elements — Sky, Earth, Air and Water — Beyond by Sula has all the makings of a getaway you’ll poignantly remember with a sigh long after you’ve come back home. Ajay Sonar and Monali Patil of the firm a for architecture have conceptualised the villas as linear, horizontal blocks opening up to the bounty of nature that surrounds them on two parallel, glass-lined sides. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, the view will never leave your sight. Just the way we like it!

The mountains call at Buransh Terrace Villas, Nainital

We’d leave the city at the drop of a hat for a chance to live at the Buransh Terrace Villas — indefinitely! Initially envisioned as a mountain retreat for the founder’s father (one lucky man), Purple Studio drew up the warm wooden rafters, masonry walls and rustic, cosy interiors as a direct antithesis of city living. But the property is now also open to all burnt-out city dwellers, too. Here, tea breaks come with sunlit terraces, fragrant pine needles, and sprigs of flora creeping up the sloping roof. The material palette appears to be cut from the mountainous soil itself: warm, chocolate browns and serene beiges, enlivened by subtle pops of colour.

Hankering for a spot to lounge at? Take your pick from the misty glasshouse, the indoor fireplace with plush sofas and throws to cuddle with, and an open terrace complete with a barbecue grill!

Atop the Konkan Coast at Cliff Resort, Konkan

Fancy a seaside getaway cantilevered over a cliff? Leave your harness at home, for this 5,000 sq ft Grecian paradise, crafted by Studio Grid, champions cliffside living (and not diving)!

The property opens up to unobstructed views of the sea and the horizon as far as the eye can see. An infinity pool perches in between this liminal space, allowing you to wade in water regardless of what the tide below may bring. Punctuated with warm wood, whites and cane accents aplenty, the meditative interiors are enough to cure any city-sick individuals of their humdrum routines.

Wake up to Mt.Kangchenjunga at Himalayan Hues, Sikkim

Some come to hike Mt. Kangchenjunga. Some come to see its snow-capped peaks from their window at Himalayan Hues, a cosy homestay in Pangthang village! Makesensedesigns turned to traditional Sikkimese homes for inspiration when crafting this 6,000 sq ft villa, dipping into the contemporary to blend these two visual languages together. Topped by a sloping roof typical of mountainous homes in the region, the interiors are a mish-mash of warm wood and minimal furniture, which pare back to spotlight the intricately ornamented furniture and flurry of patterns. Spiral staircases snake between the floors, each room opening up to Mt. Kangchenjunga’s majestic snow-topped peaks in the distance.

Indulge in endless cups of coffee or chair and chalk it up to the cold, walk through the village when the weather permits, or stow yourself away in the attic with a book and a view — the possibilities are endless!

Live like a princess in the mountains at Kinwani House, Rishikesh

Kinwani House rests in the foothills of the Himalayas, a stone’s throw away from the Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun — one of those getaways you can leave for on Friday and still make it back for work on Monday! Located in Narendra Nagar, the erstwhile capital of the Tehri Garhwal princely estate (and a go-to summer retreat for the British back in the day), the Art Deco mountain estate has been restored and tastefully tweaked to accommodate all modern-day luxury amenities. Each of the six bedrooms within the property comes with its own private deck, opening up to panoramic views of the sprawling valleys close by.

Prefer staying indoors? Dine in the glass-topped conservatory, indulge in a five-course dinner with jazz and Rishikesh’s crisp breeze, or take your breakfast tray outdoors every morning to eat amidst dewdrop-laden pine trees. Adore stepping out? Go river rafting, explore the Ganges, or switch up your Surya namaskar spot for a yoga session in the mountains!

Play in the snow at Mary Budden Estate, Almora, Uttarakhand

Few white wonderlands compare to the sight of the Mary Budden Estate after a fresh bout of snowfall. In the winter, the 19th-century property’s sloping, red tiled roofs become one with the snow-capped mountains themselves! Perched in Binsar, a scenic hill station yet to be overrun by hordes of tourists, the estate once functioned as a school run by Mary Budden, a prominent British missionary. Complete with logwood fireplaces and stone patios furnished with antique furniture, the property’s old-world charm comes with panoramic views to match. The only downside? You may not wish to return. Ever.

Hear the river speak at The Postcard on the Mandovi River, North Goa

Everyone comes to Goa for the beaches. But The Postcard on the Mandovi River perches along the basin of what is commonly referred to as Goa’s lifeline — a river that harks from the Western Ghats, and then meanders through the coastal state to spill forth into the Arabian Sea. Watch light ripple against its surface from sunrise to sunset, where all sound recedes to only let the river’s babble come through. Alternate between pursuing Susegad and wellness amidst North Goa’s sleepy-eyed locales, exploring UNESCO-certified monuments and ending the day at the in-house spa. The Brook, a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, captures the spirit of rivers like these best — “For men may come and men may go, but I go on forever.”

Meet the Royal Bengal Tiger at Sariska Lodge, Alwar, Rajasthan

It took two and a half years for Sariska Lodge to take shape, an endeavour guided by Founders Anand Shekhawat and Puneet Jain’s unabashed passion for wildlife preservation and building sustainably. The result is a 15-acre getaway with 11 well-designed, spaced-out suites, sitting amidst more than 15,000 varieties of plants and trees! With an in-house stable, a dedicated wellness centre, an outdoor pool and more, the property believes in mindful luxury over indulging in excess. After all, living amidst the unruly jungle, far from the metropolises we inhabit, is a vastly sought-after indulgence in itself.

Stargazing and wellness-chasing at Relais & Châteaux Sitara Himalaya

William Wordsworth found his calling for poetry in the Alps, but yours may just be found in a sojourn to the Himalayas! Relais & Châteaux Sitara Himalaya rests 8,200 ft above the Kullu Valley, perched across from the famous Mount Meru — the very spot where Indian sages are believed to have received the teachings of the Vedas. Both British influences and local craftsmanship have shaped the interiors, pairing Tibetan rugs with floral chintz, and tartans with brocade panels and hand-painted murals. Touches of turquoise pair beautifully with the abundance of wood, with each window opening up to unhindered vistas of the Himalayas. A must-experience, though? Offering Vedic-inspired rituals like Fire Ritual, Reiki and Marma, the Paro Svasthi spa is truly one-of-a-kind!

Suites gone wild at Taj Sawai, Ranthambore

Generous, colonial-inspired volumes and pavilions. A stepwell-turned pool. A bar decorated with frescos inspired by Rajasthani miniature paintings, and bungalows that resemble hunting lodges from another era! Taj Sawai’s new avatar, crafted by Studio Lotus, perches close to the Aravallis in Ranthambore. Opening up to lush foliage on all sides, the deciduous landscape plays muse for the toasty interiors: think wooden headboard panels resembling a tiger’s stripes, or art that painstakingly delineates each leaf and creature that abounds the forests nearby!

Read more: 9 hotels and resorts in India perfect for your next trip of 2026